Bracket



July 7, 1942. R. c. SCHILLING BRACKET Filed May 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l fiwenlz- 1201/ 6 Savanna,

July 7, 1942.

R. C. SCHILLING BRACKET I 8 Filed May 6, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiqYllI Patented July 7, 1942 BRACKET Roy 0. Schilling, Wilmington, Del., assignor to The Eastern Malleable Iron Company, Naugatuck, Conn, a corporation of Connecticut Application May 6, 1941, Serial No. 392,071

3 Claims. (Cl. 248-66) This invention relates to highway guard fixtures. More specifically, it relates to brackets adapted to hold cables, or the like, to supports such as posts.

On dangerous curves and where highways are flanked by declivities and the like hazards, it has become customary to erect barriers along the edge of the highway to prevent automobiles and other vehicles from accidentally leaving the high Way. Such highway guard barriers frequently consist of a series of posts linked by cables. These cables are fastened to the posts by means of suitable brackets.

It is an object of this inbention to provide a simple, inexpensive, and effective device for supporting guard cables which is easy to assemble. Another object is to provide a bracket which is strong and capable of withstanding shocks and blows. A further object is to provide a bracket of the above characteristics which will exert the desired clamping tension between the jaws holding the cable. Other objects will become apparent hereinafter.

These objects have been accomplished according to the present invention by the device hereinafter described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure I is a perspective view of one form of body member;

Figure II is a perspective view of one form of inner jaw member;

Figure III is a perspective view of a cable clamped in an assembly of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure IV is a plan view of a bracket embodying the present invention holding a cable and attached to a round post;

Figure V is a vertical section of a bracket embodying the present invention holding a cable and attached to a square post;

Figure VI is a perspective view of a square post and a bracket embodying the present invention holding a cable and attached to the post;

Figure VII is a perspective view of an insert; and

Figure VIII is a side elevation of the insert.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, it will now be described with reference to the drawings, it being understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described as will become more apparent hereinafter. In the preferred embodiment, the bracket of the present invention comprises 3 parts; e. g., a body member, an inner jaw member, and a securing member or bolt. Referring now to Figure I of the drawings: I is a body member having side flanges 2 and 3 to impart strength thereto, projections 4 and 5 for attachment to a wooden post or other support, end flange 6 forming an outer jaw, and internal flange "I. Referring now to Figure II of the drawings: 9 is an inner jaw member having jaw I0 and tapered rear end II. There is a socket I2 in this rear end I I as is shown more clearly in Figure V. Figure III is an assembly showing a cable clamped in the bracket. Figure V is a vertical section showing the assembly in position on a square post.

The operation of the bracket will be described with reference to these two figures. Bolt I4 is inserted in post I8 and threaded part I3 thereof is screwed into threaded opening 8 of flange I far enough to hold bracket I on the post. Preferably, the threaded part I3 does not extend beyond flange I at this step. Cable 20 is laid behind outer jaw 6 and the inner jaw member 9 is placed in position with inner jaw I0 contacting the cable 20 and rear end II against flange 'I. The inner jaw member 9 is of such length as to be a friction fit and it is driven into position with a light blow from a hammer or other suitable tool so that socket I2 is opposite threaded opening!) in flange I. held in this position between cable 20 and flange I by friction at this step. Bolt I4 is now tightened by turning head I5 until it takes up against post I8, washer I6 being preferable, but not essential. At this step, projections 4 and 5 bury themselves in post I8. Socket I2 is of such diameter as to take the threaded end I3 of bolt I4 with a very little play. Socket I2 is of such depth that the threaded end l3 of bolt I4 is not in contact with the bottom of the socket when bolt I4 has taken up against post I8, but the threaded part I3 enters the socket I2 to such a distance as to positively prevent inner jaw member 9 from leaving its position. Pressure against cable 20 of the assembly in Figure III is, hence, dependent upon the fit of jaw member 9. Where it is desired to increase the pressure of jaws B and I0 on cable 20, a small insert I9 is placed in the bottom of socket I2 of such thickness as to insure pressure against cable 20 by the thrust of bolt I I when the latter is tightened. Inserts of various thicknesses may be provided to vary the pressure. Figure VI shows the bracket in position on post I8 with the cable 20 clamped therein. Figures VII and VIII are two views of the insert I9.

While the body member above described is the preferred form of the invention, it may be modi- The inner jaw member 9 is fled in many ways. For example, if circular metal posts are to be used as supports, projections 4 and 5 can be omitted and the post abutting end can be concave to fit the post snugly, This is shown in the plan view of Figure IV.

. Side flanges 2 and 3 may be omitted, modified, or

enlarged. They may even be extended and bent so as to enclose completely flange I and the area adjacent thereto in a box-like structure. Flange 6 may be of uniform cross-section or it may be of varied cross-section. For example, it may be thicker in its central portion and may taper off to a thin edge on the ends near flanges 2 and 3. In this way, an automobile striking and sliding along cable 52 would pass by flange 6 more readily. Figure VI shows a bracket attached to a square post and holding a cable in its jaws.

While in the form of the invention above'described insert i9 is used to increase pressure by thrust of bolt I4, alternatively the socket may be of such depth as to take the thrust of the bolt at its bottom. This has the disadvantage of requiring exact predetermined thickness of cable and post. The cable will, in general, be substantially uniform in diameter, but posts are apt to be of slightly difierent thicknesses. This latter variation can be compensated for by providing, washers l6 of different thicknesses or by varying the washers which need not be restricted to one. In general, however, because of uniformity of the cable diameter, it is considered preferable to control gripping tension on the cable solely by the friction fit of the inner jaw member.

It is apparent that many widely different embodiments of this invention may be made without said body member in a plane substantially parallel to thesaid outer jaw, aninner jaw member having on one end an inner jaw adapted to grip a cable in cooperation with saidouter jaw, the other end having a socket therein substantially parallel to the axis of the inner jaw member, said inner jaw member being of such length that it is held in operative cable gripping position with its socket opposite the threaded opening of the said second flange by friction, and a threaded member adapted to pass through a support, engage said threaded opening and enter the socket of said inner jaw member.

2. A bracket comprising a body member having one end adapted to engage a support and having a fixed outer jaw member formed integrally therewith on the other end, a flange having a threaded opening therein on said body member i in a plane substantially parallel to the said outer jaw, an inner jaw member having on one end an inner jaw adapted to grip a cable in cooperation with said outer jaw, the other end being slightly beveled and having a socket therein substantially parallel to the axis of the inner jaw member, said inner jaw member being of such length that it is held in operative cable gripping position with its socket opposite the threaded opening of the said flange by friction, and a threaded bolt adapted to pass through a support, engage said threaded opening and enter the socket of said. inner jaw member.

3. A bracket comprising a body member having one end adapted to engage a support and having a fixed outer jaw member formed integrally therewith on the other end, a flange having a threaded opening therein on said' body member in a plane substantially parallel to the said outer jaw, an inner jaw member having on one end an inner jaw adapted to grip a cable in cooperation with said outer jaw, the other end being slightly beveled and having a socket therein substantially parallel to the axis of the inner jaw member, said inner jaw member being of of such length that it is held in operative cable gripping position with its socket opposite the threaded opening of, the 'said flange by friction, an insert in said socket and a threaded bolt adapted to pass through a support, engage said threaded opening, enter the socket of said inner jaw member, and exert pressure throughsaid insert'and said inner jaw member upon a cable held between the inner and outer jaws.

ROY C. SCHILLING. 

